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Melba Doretta Liston loved the sounds of music from as far back as she could remember. As a child, she daydreamed about beats and lyrics, and hummed along with the music from her family s Majestic radio. At age seven, Melba fell in love with a big, shiny trombone, and soon taught herself to play the instrument. By the time she was a teenager, Melba s extraordinary gift for music led her to the world of jazz. She joined a band led by trumpet player Gerald Wilson and toured the country. Overcoming obstacles of race and gender, Melba went on to become a famed trombone player and arranger, spinning rhythms, harmonies, and melodies into gorgeous songs for all the jazz greats of the twentieth century: Randy Weston, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Billie Holiday, and Quincy Jones, to name just a few. Brimming with ebullience and the joy of making music, Little Melba and Her Big Trombone is a fitting tribute to a trailblazing musician and a great unsung hero of jazz.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Bewitched by the rhythms of jazz all around her in Depression-era Kansas City, little Melba Doretta Liston longs to make music in this fictional account of a little-known jazz great. Picking up the trombone at 7, the little girl teaches herself to play with the support of her Grandpa John and Momma Lucille, performing on the radio at 8 and touring as a pro at just 17. Both text and illustrations make it clear that it s not all easy for Melba; The Best Service for WHITES ONLY reads a sign in a hotel window as the narrative describes a bigotry-plagued tour in the South with Billie Holiday. But joy carries the day, and the story ends on a high note, with Melba dazzling audiences and making headlines around the world. Russell-Brown s debut text has an innate musicality, mixing judicious use of onomatopoeia with often sonorous prose. Morrison s sinuous, exaggerated lines are the perfect match for Melba s story; she puts her entire body into her playing, the exaggerated arch of her back and thrust of her shoulders mirroring the curves of her instrument. In one thrilling spread, the evening gown clad instrumentalist stands over the male musicians, her slide crossing the gutter while the back bow disappears off the page to the left. An impressive discography complements a two-page afterword and a thorough bibliography. Readers will agree that Melba Doretta Liston was something special. " --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Music lovers will enjoy this picture-book biography of Melba Liston (1926-99), child prodigy and virtuoso trombonist who collaborated with most 20th century jazz greats. An excellent match of breezy text and dynamic illustrations tells an exhilarating story. Always in tune with music, seven-year-old Melba chose her first instrument from Joe's Music Truck. Self-taught and determined, she survived the gender-based taunts of high school boys while playing in Alma Hightower's after-school music club (using her horn to "turn all those hurt feelings into soulful music" and racial discrimination while touring with Billie Holiday's band. In the end, Liston "[made] her trombone sing" for audiences around the world and was named a Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts. Russell-Brown's text engages the senses: "[Melba] especially loved Fats Waller, with his growly voice and booming piano", while Morrison's distinctive illustrations, stretched out like a slide trombone, draw the eye across each spread to the page turn. Back matter includes a detailed afterword with two photographs and a bibliography of books, articles, interviews, radio broadcasts, and websites, including a Jazz Cafe, where students can view Liston performing with Dizzy Gillespie's band. Pair this book with Jonah Winter's Dizzy (Scholastic, 2006) and Marilyn Nelson's Sweethearts of Rhythm (Dial, 2009) to explore more fully the jazz culture of the time. A celebration of the talent and success of a little-known African American female musician, this title will enrich library collection. --School Library Journal, starred review

About the Author

Katheryn Russell-Brown is a Professor of Law and the Director of the Center for Race and Race Relations at the University of Florida. She grew up in a family of music lovers, where jazz was an integral part of the sounds of daily life. A radio broadcast in 2008 about Liston inspired Russell-Brown to research the musician and eventually to write Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, her first picture book. Russell-Brown lives in Gainesville, Florida, with her husband and their two children. Visit her online at krbrown.net

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Katheryn Russell-Brown has written a wonderful book for young children about a great but unsung jazz musician. She brings to life the remarkable story of Melba Liston who started playing the trombone as a young child and went on to play with some of the greatest jazz musicians in American history. The book's afterward includes original photographs of Melba Liston and provides interesting details about her extraordinary life. This book will be enjoyed by family members of all ages.

A wonderful story, beautifully illustrated. I was a little embarrassed that I didn't know about this real life amazing woman until reading the book to my 18-month old daughter. She loves the pictures and I love the story of a talented and determined girl.

This is a cool book with amazing illustrations, and an inspirational and true story historical tale. Little Melba would be perfect to read at home or in a classroom setting. It's a really special book, both the writing and the pictures.

I met the author at an event in West Palm Beach. The band teacher at our school plays and played the trombone in college. I had it autographed and personalized with her name. The art work is INCREDIBLE!!!!